ASIA/HOLY LAND - UNESCO Committee: No to unilateral measures that alter the status of Jerusalem and its Holy Places

Print

Jerusalem - The old city of Jerusalem and its historic walls remain in the list of world heritage sites to be considered "in danger". And all the "facts" and the legislative or administrative measures put in place by Israel that have altered or claimed to alter the character and status of the Holy City should be considered null and void and revoked. This is how the resolution on the status of the Old Town of Jerusalem was voted on Wednesday 5 July by participants at the 41st session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, gathered in Krakow. The resolution on the Holy City defines Israel as "occupying power" and invites the Jewish State to stop "persistent excavations, tunneling, works, projects and other illegal practices'' in East Jerusalem and especially in the Old City.The position taken by the UNESCO body was welcomed by the Palestinian Government and Jordan, where the media present the resolution as a positive result thanks to the work of diplomacy of the Hashimite Kingdom, which claims the role of Guardian of the Holy Christian and Muslim Places of the Holy City. Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, instead defined the language used in the resolution "disgraceful", adding that "no faux heritage committee can sever the bond between our people and Jerusalem".